East Ridge murder trial delayed

East Ridge murder trial delayed

The trial for a man accused of killing a 70-year-old East Ridge woman has been pushed back two weeks.

In East Ridge City Court today, the case against Randall Reed was moved to July 19 at the request of prosecutors, who said they needed more time to gather witnesses and evidence.

Reed, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder in the June 15 death of Jane Stokes. He also is charged with aggravated robbery, accused of taking her credit cards and using them in the hours after her death.

He is being held without bond.

East Ridge police say Stokes, who lived in a small house at 707 Hardin Drive, suffocated after a plastic bag was bound around her head and her hands tied behind her back. A neighbor found her body on the bedroom floor of her home.